Performance apparel and  methods of making same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to performance apparel such as a pair of pants specifically adapted for an individual performing an activity. The pants include a torso region having front and back portions; a pair of legs extending from the torso region, each leg having front, back, inner and outer portions; and a crotch region that connects the front and back portion of the torso region. It is envision that a first material is used to form a main body section of the pants which includes the torso region and the front, back and outer portions of each leg and a second material, which is the same or different than the first material, is used to form an inner panel that provides the crotch region and inner portion of each leg. Moreover, both the first and second materials are specially adapted for the activity to be performed by the individual.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to performance apparel and methods of making the same, and more particularly to pants which are adapted and constructed with material having properties that are particularly suited to the intended application or activity of the wearer, including properties such as abrasion resistance, moisture wicking, breathability, quick drying, heat retention and/or flexibility for improved comfort and still more particularly to pants wherein a first portion is constructed of a first material or material blend and a second portion is constructed of a second material or blend.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically apparel, such as pants, trousers, slacks and the like are designed such that the crotch and inner leg areas are formed from the same material and the pants include seams on the inside and outside of each leg. Sometimes the cut of the pants is such that the crotch seam and even the upper leg seams are pulled close to the body of the wearer which makes for a relatively tight and binding fit about the crotch and the upper leg areas. This can result in an uncomfortable and binding fit even for ordinary use.

Greater discomfort, however, is realized when such pants are worn by individuals for certain activities, such as sporting events or outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. In such cases, the wearer may not be provided with ample freedom to move in the area of the crotch and inner legs, and this can result in the seams within the crotch and inner leg areas binding the individual's body adjacent the seams.

The wearer's discomfort is exacerbated when he/she engaged in an activity that either causes them to sweat excessively in order to shed body heat or in cold weather activities wherein it's desirable to retain body heat.

Therefore, there is a real need for a pants type apparel that does not bind, inhibit, and irritate the wearer's body in the crotch and inner leg areas as occurs with conventional crotch and inner leg seam designs, and which further enables the wearer's body to move unencumbered and unrestricted almost as if his or her body were unclothed. Additionally, there is a need for pants which are adapted and constructed with material having properties that are particularly suited to the intended application or activity of the wearer, such as abrasions resistance, moisture wicking, breathability, quick drying and heat retention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose and advantages of the below described illustrated embodiments will be set forth in and apparent from the description that follows. Additional advantages of the illustrated embodiments will be realized and attained by the devices, systems, and methods particularly pointed out in the written description and the claims herein, as well as from the drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the illustrated embodiments, in one embodiment, described herein is a pair of pants specifically adapted for an individual performing an activity. The pants include a torso region having front and back portions; a pair of legs extending from the torso region, each leg having front, back, inner and outer portions; and a crotch region that connects the front and back portion of the torso region. It is envision that a first material is used to form a main body section of the pants which includes the torso region and the front, back and outer portions of each leg and a second material, which is or can be different than the first material, is used to form an inner panel that provides the crotch region and inner portion of each leg. Moreover, both the first and second materials are specially adapted for the activity to be performed by the individual.

In certain embodiments, the first material is formed from a blend of materials. It is also envisioned that the second material can be formed from a blend of materials.

The activities performed by the individual can include, but are not limited to horseback riding, motorcycle riding, sportsman, western, worker (e.g. construction) or farm activities.

In certain constructions it is preferred that the inner panel has a width between about 2 inches and about 4 inches. Still further, the inner panel could be roughly 4 inches wide.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the first material is abrasion resistant and the second material is an elastic material for comfort. Additionally, the first material could also be a performance-type material.

Preferably, the main body section and inner panel are joined together to form an inseemless pant. It is envisioned that the first material and second material can be the same color or be different colors.

It is envisioned that the first material provides at least one performance characteristic that is selected from the group consisting of abrasion resistance, moisture wicking, breathability, quick drying, heat retention and improved comfort. It is also contemplated that the second material provides at least one performance characteristic that is selected from the group consisting of abrasion resistance, moisture wicking, breathability, quick drying, heat retention and improved comfort.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the activity the individual will be performing is riding and the first material is a blend of denim and spandex and the second material is a blend Coolmax® denim and spandex and the activity is riding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those having ordinary skill in the art, to which the present embodiments pertain, will more readily understand how to make, construct and design the novel apparel disclosed herein, certain illustrated embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein-below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged, perspective view of a pair of performance pants which have been constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the pants of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the pants of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left-side elevational view of the pants of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a right-side elevational view of the pants of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the pants of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the pants of FIG. 1.

These and other aspects of the subject invention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The below illustrated embodiments are directed to performance apparel and methods of making the same, and more particularly to pants which are adapted and constructed with material having properties that are particularly suited to the intended application or activity of the wearer. It is to be appreciated the below illustrated embodiments are not limited in any way to what is shown, as the illustrated embodiments described below are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms, as appreciated by one skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that any structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the certain illustrated embodiments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art relating to the below illustrated embodiments. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the below illustrated embodiments, exemplary methods and materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a stimulus” includes a plurality of such stimuli and reference to “the signal” includes reference to one or more signals and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1-7 which illustrate one embodiment of the performance apparel of the present disclosure. Described in these figures is a pair of pants designate as reference numeral 100 that are specifically adapted for an individual performing an activity. The pants 100 include a torso region 20 that has a front portion 22 and a back portion 24. The pants 100 also include a pair of legs 40 that extend from the torso region 20, each leg 40 having front 42, back 44, inner 46 and outer 48 portions. The pants further include a crotch region 60 that connects the front 22 and back 24 portion of the torso region 20.

A first material is used to form a main body section 80 of the pants which includes the torso region 20 and the front 42, back 44 and outer 48 portions of each leg 40. A second material, which is different than the first material, is used to form an inner panel 90 that provides the crotch region 60 and inner portion 46 of each leg 40. Both the first and second materials are specially adapted for the activity to be performed by the individual. As described earlier, in certain embodiments, the first and second materials can be formed from a blend of materials. The materials or material blends used to form the pant sections 80 and 90 can be specifically selected depending upon the activity being performed by the wearer/individual. The activities performed by the individual can include, but are not limited to horseback riding, motorcycle riding, sportsman, western, worker (e.g. construction) or farm activities.

Materials such as, but not limited to, canvas, cotton, cotton duck, COOLMAX®, denim, Dyneema®, neoprene, nylon, polyester, ripstop spandex, twill can be used for the individual pant sections or blends. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand the materials discussed herein to commonly mean the following:

Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric. Modern canvas is usually made of cotton or linen, although historically it was made from hemp. It differs from other heavy cotton fabrics, such as denim, in being plain weave rather than twill weave. Canvas comes in two basic types: plain and duck. The threads in duck canvas are more tightly woven.

Cotton duck (from Dutch: doek, “linen canvas”), also simply duck, sometimes duck cloth or duck canvas, is a heavy, plain woven cotton fabric. Duck canvas is more tightly woven than plain canvas. Duck fabric is woven with two yarns together in the warp and a single yarn in the weft.

COOLMAX® is a fabric technology created by Invista that transports moisture away from the body to keep the wearer cool and dry on hot days, while the fiber structures provide insulation on colder days, helping to optimize performance.

Denim is a sturdy cotton warp-faced textile in which the weft passes under two or more warp threads. This twill weaving produces a diagonal ribbing that distinguishes it from cotton duck.

Dyneema® is a Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMwPE). Fabric which includes 5-10% Dyneema® increases the abrasion resistance of 100% denim by 250-600%, tear resistance by 50-100%, and tensile strength by 25-100%. Dyneema® increases the abrasion resistance by 10-20% compared with cotton-HT nylon blends, and matches them for tear resistance and tensile strength, at only half the amount of Dyneema®. Using half the amount of Dyneema® improves the abrasion resistance of single-layer motorcycle denim with aramid by 70%. The like-for-like improvement is 300%. And half the amount of Dyneema® is twice as strong as denim with HT nylon on burst/tensile strength.

Neoprene or polychloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene. Neoprene exhibits good chemical stability and maintains flexibility over a wide temperature range. Neoprene is sold either as solid rubber or in latex form, and is used in a wide variety of applications.

Nylon is a generic designation for a family of synthetic polymers, based on aliphatic or semi-aromatic polyamides. Nylon is a thermoplastic silky material that can be melt-processed into fibers, films or shapes.

Polyester is a category of polymers that contain the ester functional group in their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include naturally occurring chemicals, such as in the cutin of plant cuticles, as well as synthetics such as polybutyrate. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not. Fabrics woven or knitted from polyester thread or yarn are used extensively in apparel and home furnishings, from shirts and pants to jackets and hats, bed sheets, blankets, upholstered furniture and computer mouse mats.

Ripstop fabrics are woven fabrics, often made of nylon, using a special reinforcing technique that makes them resistant to tearing and ripping. During weaving, (thick) reinforcement threads are interwoven at regular intervals in a crosshatch pattern.

Spandex, Lycra or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. It is a polyether-polyurea copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Va.

Twill is a type of textile weave with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs (in contrast with a satin and plain weave). This is done by passing the weft thread over one or more warp threads then under two or more warp threads and so on, with a “step,” or offset, between rows to create the characteristic diagonal pattern. Because of this structure, twill generally drapes well.

The inventors of the present application through experimentation and experience have determined that the material blends shown below in Table 1 are particularly well suit for the listed applications. However, Table 1 is not intended to limit the materials or the blends that can be used with the apparel of the present disclosure.

TABLE 1 Application/Activity Main Body/Torso section Inner Panel Riding a Denim Spandex Denim Spandex b Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex c Cool Max Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex d Dyneema Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex e Dyneema Denim Spandex Denim Spandex Sportsman a Nylon Spandex Nylon Spandex b Ripstop Spandex Ripstop Spandex c Neoprene Spandex Neoprene Spandex d Polyester Spandex Polyester Spandex e Canvas Spandex Canvas Spandex f Canvas Spandex Twill Spandex g Twill Spandex Canvas Spandex h Twill Spandex Twill Spandex i Cotton Duck Spandex Canvas Spandex j Cotton Duck Spandex Twill Spandex Western a Denim Spandex Denim Spandex b Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex c Cool Max Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex d Dyneema Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex e Dyneema Denim Spandex Denim Spandex Contractor a Canvas Spandex Canvas Spandex b Canvas Spandex Twill Spandex c Twill Spandex Canvas Spandex d Twill Spandex Twill Spandex e Cotton Duck Spandex Canvas Spandex f Cotton Duck Spandex Twill Spandex g Cotton Duck Spandex Cotton Duck Spandex h Denim Spandex Denim Spandex i Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex j Cool Max Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex k Dyneema Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex l Dyneema Denim Spandex Denim Spandex Farm a Canvas Spandex Canvas Spandex b Canvas Spandex Twill Spandex c Twill Spandex Canvas Spandex d Twill Spandex Twill Spandex e Cotton Duck Spandex Canvas Spandex f Cotton Duck Spandex Twill Spandex g Cotton Duck Spandex Cotton Duck Spandex h Denim Spandex Denim Spandex i Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex j Cool Max Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex k Dyneema Denim Spandex Cool Max Denim Spandex l Dyneema Denim Spandex Denim Spandex

As shown in the figures, the main body section 80 and inner panel 90 are joined together to form an inseamless pant. In certain constructions it is preferred that the inner panel has a width between about 2 inches and about 4 inches. Still further, the inner panel could be roughly 4 inches wide. Notably, width of the inner panel 90 can be uniform or non-uniform and it can be a continuous strip of material or discontinuous.

In certain applications it is desirable for the first material to be abrasion resistant and the second material to be an elastic material for comfort. However as discussed above, the first material could also be a performance-type material.

The specific material and/or blends are specifically selected to provide at least one performance characteristic such as, but not limited to, abrasion resistance, moisture wicking, breathability, quick drying, heat retention and improved comfort.

For example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the activity the individual could be performing is riding and therefore the first material could be a blend of denim and spandex and the second material a blend of Coolmax® denim and spandex.

Those skilled in the art would readily appreciate that a method of producing wicking could be to plate fibers or yarns with different shapes together. For example, if moisture is on a person's skin, it will wick from a surface comprised of yarns or fibers that has few “lobes” or “clover leafed” shapes into a surface which is comprised of yarns or fibers that have many “lobes” or “clover leafed” shapes. The surface of the wetted area on the exterior surface of the garment is greater than the surface of the wetted area on the inside. The result is that a person's skin stays dry.

As used herein, “performance fabrics or materials” can contain fibers with a channeling surface to move moisture away from the body when the wearer is hot and fibers with a hollow core to provide insulation on colder days. These hollow core fibers trap air, provide insulation and wick moisture to the outside of the fabric where it can dry quickly.

The use of an inner/comfort panel that is formed with elastomeric materials provides weight distribution for movement both vertically and horizontally. As discussed above, the comfort panel prevents bunching, gathering, pinching or riding up of the pant legs while sitting, knelling, bending, squatting or performing other activities.

The panel construction disclosed above eliminates the center seam located on the inner leg area found on conventional pants/jeans providing for more comfort through the inner crotch and seat area and eliminates friction from the conventional center seam while engaged in activities as riding a motorcycle, horse, tractor, automobile, working or pursuing other activities.

An abrasion resistant and/or elastic material can include any material consistent with the intent of the present disclosure. For example, an exemplary abrasion resistant material can include, at least in part, one or more of the following: cotton, polyurethane, nylon, vinyl, KEVLAR, CORDURA, CORDURA PLUS (also known as “CORDURA 1000”) and/or polypropylene, for example and not in limitation.

Notably, elastic material can include, at least in part, LYCRA or SPANDEX other elastic material, and notably, can be a blended material, for example and not in limitation. It should be noted that a material selected for main pant body may also be elastic in addition to being abrasion resistant, and similarly, a material selected for inner pant body may also be abrasion resistant in addition to being elastic.

According to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosures, respective colors and textures of utilized materials for main and/or inner pant bodies can be particularly selected to provide a visually appealing appearance. For example and not in limitation, main pant body can be formed of an indigo-colored, 14-ounce denim material, and inner pant body can be formed of a black, polyester and SPANDEX blended material. Additionally and/or alternatively, pants according to the present invention can be “branded” or “badged” with a trademark, trade dress, and/or logo, such as the trademark “HARLEY DAVIDSON,” for example and not in limitation. Further, main and/or inner pant bodies can optionally include various designs, patterns and/or images thereon for a visually pleasing appearance. For example and not in limitation, inner pant body can include one or more of a skull, flames, checkered flags, etc.

Additionally, the pants according to the present invention can be provided in any cut and/or fit desired. For example, and not in limitation, the pants can be provided in a relaxed fit, traditional fit, boot cut, traditional cut, curvy boot cut (roomier through hips and thighs), etc.

Although the apparel and methods of the subject invention have been described with respect to the embodiments disclosed above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pair of pants specifically adapted for an individual performing an activity comprising: a torso region including front and back portions; a pair of legs extending from the torso region, each leg having front, back, inner and outer portions; and a crotch region connecting the front and back portion of the torso region; and wherein a first material is used to form a main body section of the pants which includes the torso region and the front, back and outer portions of each leg and wherein a second material is used to form an inner panel that provides the crotch region and inner portion of each leg; and wherein both the first and second materials are specially adapted for the activity to be performed by the individual.
 2. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the first material is formed from a blend of materials.
 3. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the second material is formed from a blend of materials.
 4. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the activities performed by the individual include: horseback riding, motorcycle riding, sportsman, western, contractor or farm activities.
 5. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner panel has a width between about 2 inches and about 4 inches.
 6. The pants as recited in claim 5, wherein the inner panel is roughly 4 inches wide.
 7. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the first material is abrasion resistant and the second material is an elastic material for comfort.
 8. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the first material is a performance material.
 9. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the main body section and inner panel are joined together to form an inseemless pant.
 10. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the first material and second material are the same color.
 11. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the first material and second material are the different colors.
 12. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the first material provides at least one performance characteristic that is selected from the group consisting of abrasion resistance, moisture wicking, breathability, quick drying, heat retention and improved comfort.
 13. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the second material provides at least one performance characteristic that is selected from the group consisting of abrasion resistance, moisture wicking, breathability, quick drying, heat retention and improved comfort.
 14. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity is riding and the first material is a blend of denim and spandex and the second material is a blend Coolmax® denim and spandex and the activity is riding.
 15. The pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and the second material are different. 